Transient Hypoglossal and Lingual Nerve Injury Following the Use of I-gel Supraglottic Airway: A Case Report

Injury to the hypoglossal and/or lingual nerve is a rare occurrence with the use of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or supraglottic airway (SGA) device. There has been one prior report of a lingual and hypoglossal nerve injury with the i-gelTM SGA. We are describing the second reported hypoglossal and lingual transient nerve injury in a male patient while using an i-gelTM SGA. Although excessive cuff pressure has been cited as a possible cause, the i-gelTM does not have a cuff. This report highlights that hypoglossal nerve injury can still occur, even with the use of a cuffless LMA such as the i-gelTM SGA.